Cleaner options for 16" barrel .223/5.56

[Yuck]

I've been using BL-C(2) and CFE 223 for my .223/5.56 loads and I'm pretty happy with the velocity and accuracy out of my 16" AR-15 barrel (see below):

1. BL-C(2) 27.0 gr, Frontier FMJ 55 gr, 2.200" OCL, Federal 205 = 2753 fps average
2. CFE 223 27.0 gr, Frontier FMJ 55 gr, 2.200" OCL, Federal 205 = 2729 fps average
3. BL-C(2) 27.0 gr, Hornady V-Max 50 gr, 2.210" OCL, Federal 205 = 2811 fps average
4. CFE 223 28.0 gr, Hornady V-Max 50 gr, 2.210" OCL, Federal 205 = 2874 fps average

None of these loads are compressed but they are rather full cases. They also burn pretty dirty out of the (relatively) short 16" barrel. My assumption is that this is because the entirety of the case contents haven't burned by the time it's being blasted out the business end.

I'm looking for some other powders to try that don't use such a full case while still achieving similar velocity. My feeling is that such powders would burn somewhat cleaner and would also afford me a few more rounds per pound of powder.

[SgtRecon]

while I do not have a chrono (yet) so cant give that data

I get good results from H335, 24.0 for 55gr & 25.0 for 50gr, it fills the cases up to about the start of the bottleneck, no compressed loads, accuracy is very good. While I am not as OCD as I used to be about cleaning my rifles, I do not notice any excessive fouling, about the same as shooting mil spec surplus

[cephas]

I'd try a faster powder although some velocity may be sacrificed. Currently use H335 for bullets in that weight range. Heavier bullets may work better with your powder. My supply is running low and expect to try some of Ramshots powders. They have data for both .223 and 5.56. Looking at TAC and X-Terminator.
http://blog.westernpowders.com/wp-co...1-2016_Web.pdf
Let us know what you come up with.

[DucatiRon]

If your not using a progressive reloader H4198 is a pretty fast powder for use in 223. It's an extruded powder which can make some powder dispensers unhappy. I used to load it for my AR pistol rounds.

[Yuck]

If your not using a progressive reloader H4198 is a pretty fast powder for use in 223. It's an extruded powder which can make some powder dispensers unhappy. I used to load it for my AR pistol rounds.

I'm using a Dillon 550B, which is progressive but not auto-indexing (i.e. you need to manually move the rounds to the next stage). For this reason it's pretty easy to fill powder offline if needed.

Which powder dispenser are you using? The Dillon funnels seem to be pretty decent with metering it, but not great. If I was pushing a max load it might make me nervous. I tried the Lee Perfect Powder Measure because the reviews were unanimously positive, but I found that it's just awful with extruded powders.

[Tim Ault]

Accurate 2230 ,2015 , H322, benchmark are all a little faster than what your using now and should work ok

[frankski]

I like H335 for most 53g to 60g .223 loads for 16" ARs. Also W748. They both meter like water in the Dillon 550B powder measure. Very accurate loads when used with quality bullets. These powders are about identical to BLC(2) in the burn rate chart.

[cephas]

I like H335 for most 53g to 60g .223 loads for 16" ARs. Also W748. They both meter like water in the Dillon 550B powder measure. Very accurate loads when used with quality bullets. These powders are about identical to BLC(2) in the burn rate chart.

FYI. BLC(2) #104 is listed on Hodgons site very close to W748 #103 (https://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Burn%20R...02015-2016.pdf) .
However H335 is listed faster at #82. My old chart on the wall of my reloading room from 2010, that needs replaced, shows BLC(2) quicker than H335. ???
Found this when checking out loads for heavier bullets in the AR last year. How loaders use these charts would be an interesting discussion.
Like you I love the way they meter.

[762xIan]

I don't think you will see much improvement no matter how clean the powder is.....the drawback of direct impingement.....you are going to get burned powder and residue in the action no matter how "clean" the burn.

But you may want to give H335 a shot.....cases are not as full, my 55gr plinkers are 23-24 grain.

I don't think it is all that dirty considering DI.

[frankski]

FYI. BLC(2) #104 is listed on Hodgons site very close to W748 #103 (https://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Burn%20R...02015-2016.pdf) .
However H335 is listed faster at #82. My old chart on the wall of my reloading room from 2010, that needs replaced, shows BLC(2) quicker than H335. ???
Found this when checking out loads for heavier bullets in the AR last year. How loaders use these charts would be an interesting discussion.
Like you I love the way they meter.

Apparently there is some inconsistency in burn rate charts. http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-con...burn_rates.pdf